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Reasons why the death penalty should not exist
Controversies over the death penalty
Controversies over the death penalty
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The death sentence has become a huge controversy in the United States over the past forty years. Over those forty years there has been a lot of less tax payers and donators willing to pay money to the justice system to execute a criminal. These types of people that have helped to pay in the past for these executions have stopped due to them not wanting a death connected to them in any way, or because they simply see life in prison a more suitable punishment. Without the funding needed, the criminals on death row are not able to receive their proper punishment within a reasonable amount of time. A lot of times the criminals never get their proper punishment due to lack of funding. Also, criminals that commit extreme crimes may not get the death penalty due to it not being registered as capital murder. These are all issues that have affected the death penalty over time. There are thirty-one states that currently use the death penalty as well as the U.S. Federal Government and U.S. Military. Throughout the states, there are five different methods of the death penalty that is executed in certain states. These five methods include the lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad, and hanging. Only certain states have certain methods except for lethal injection, every state that has the death penalty uses lethal injection for the …show more content…
Those that are for it may see that it is a waste of money spent on criminals that deserve death to allow them to stay alive in prison. Also, the criminal could have a chance at causing more damage in some way while in prison. On the other hand, to those that oppose the death penalty, it may seem inhumane or cruel to take a person’s life because of the bad decision they made. It also may seem like a better use of money to let them suffer a possible long life in prison ("Death
Hundreds of people each year are punished for crimes they didn’t even commit. Some have spent at least 14 years in prison, while others have spent time on death row. In 2015, up to 149 people were cleared for crimes they didn’t commit. (Ferner) This was because of DNA exonerations, eye witness identification reforms, criminal justice reform commissions, petitions, protests, news stories, preservation of evidence, and access to post-conviction DNA testing. Some causes that triggered wrongful convictions are: a younger defendant, a criminal history, a weak prosecution case, prosecution withheld evidence, and a weak defense (Predicting and Preventing Wrongful Convictions). Kirstin Lobato fits the shoe! She has been in jail for the past 15 years
Proponents of capital punishment believe that killing criminals is a moral and ethical way of punishing them. They feel there is justification in taking the life of a certain criminal, when in fact that justification is nothing more than revenge. They also feel that the death penalty deters crime, although there have been no conclusive studies confirming that viewpoint (Bedau).
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the most common method of execution among states with the death penalty is lethal injection, which is authorized by 35 states, as well as the U.S. Military and the U.S. Government. Smaller numbers of states continue to use methods such as electrocution, gas chambers, hanging, and even firing squads
Many people support the idea of capital punishment for a number of reasons. First, people insist that some crimes are too drastic to ever forgive, and that life behind bars simply does not do enough justice. Secondly, others cry out that keeping a prisoner behind bars for life is costly, and killing them for the crimes they have committed will save the government and taxpayers money. Finally, some people simply believe that the individual on death row has the right to request death by capital punishment, instead of rotting behind prison bars. Although these three common ideas vary from person to person, the general consensus is that those in support of capital punishment do not view the negative aspects of the horrendous act. Further, they do not realize the actuality of capital punishment, and hold a few common misconceptions that are detrimental to an unbiased viewpoint on the subject.
While one person lays with their wrists circumscribed to the worn leather of the gurney, another person holds two skin-piercing needles. The individual holding the needles is an inexperienced technician who obtains permission from the United States federal government to murder people. One needle is held as a precaution in case the pain is too visible to the viewers. Another dagger filled with a lethal dosage of chemicals is inserted into the vein that causes the person to stop breathing. When the cry of the heart rate monitor becomes monotone, the corrupt procedure is complete. Lying in the chair is a corpse when moments ago it was an individual who made one fatal mistake that will never get the chance to redeem (Ecenbarger). Although some people believe that the death
Most criminals who are convicted of the death penalty are on death row for up to 20 years, which slows down the court system and makes the death penalty useless in some way. Deathpenalty.procon.org notes that, “Everything that is needed for an ordinary trial is needed for a death penalty case, only more so: More pre-trial time, more experts, twice as many attorneys, two trials instead of one will be conducted: one for guilt and one for punishment, and then will come a series of appeals during which the inmates are held in the high security of death row." ... ... middle of paper ... ...
One of the most repetitive and controversial topics discussed in the criminal justice system, is the death penalty. Capital punishment has been a part of our nation’s history since the creation of our constitution. In fact, as of January 1st, 2016, 2,943 inmates were awaiting their fate on death row (Death Penalty Information Center). Throughout my life, I have always been a strong advocate for the death penalty. During the majority of my undergraduate degree, I was a fierce supporter of capital punishment when discussing the topic in classes. However, throughout many criminal justice courses, I found myself in the minority, regarding the abolishment of the death penalty. While debating this topic, I would always find myself sympathetic to the victims and their families, as one should be, wanting those who were responsible for heinous crimes to
The methods used currently differ greatly from earlier periods of history. The most common method of execution favored by most countries is lethal injection; other legal options available also include the electric chair, gas chambers, hanging, or a firing squad. Execution by asphyxiation, crucifixion... ... middle of paper ... ... n, that one wrong act condemns a person to death.
Here in the United States there are different forms of execution used. Lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, hanging and firing squad: While lethal injection is an acceptable form of execution in all states, there are states that use alternative methods.
In America there are 5 methods of execution. First is lethal injection, where the inmate is injected with 3 different types of drugs that ultimately lead the victim into a cardiac arrest. Second is electrocution, where the inmate is literally shocked to death by electricity. Third is the gas chamber, where the inmate in killed by deadly toxins. Fourth is hanging, where a rope is tied around the inmates neck and they are strangled to death.
...on or their ethical belief, others it comes down to the cost of the death penalty vs the cost of life without parole. The death penalty has been around for a very long time and has seem to work throughout history. The ways of how capital punishment is carried out has changed over time, for example people use to be hung in public and now it is done within the prison wall usually with lethal injection or the electric chair. The death penalty is a very serious punishment and should only be carried out to the criminals who have committed capital crimes and has no shown evidence of improving the person they are, or if the judge or jury is scared of what the person might be capable or doing. Some people do not deserve the freedom of being able to do everyday activities even if it is in the jail walls, and this is why the right of capital punishment should not be abolished.
On the one hand, people who oppose the death penalty make a very strong point, in that, there have been several cases that the so-called criminal was actually a case of mistaken identity and wrongful conviction. They also believe that the threat of the death penalty ultimately is not a deterrent for criminal behavior. People will commit crimes regardless of the death penalty. Often, criminal behavior is committed with the sense that they will not get caught. So, in essence, they have no reason to be afraid of the death penalty.
There are many methods of capital punishment in the United States including lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, firing squad, and hanging. However, lethal injection has been deemed the most ethical method of capital punishment in the United States. Lethal injection is practiced in 33 of 50 states in the United States. The other 17 do not practice capital punishment (Death Penalty Information Center, 2016). Life in prison has reflected a better psychological and medical state of mind and body, therefore, is a much less cruel and unusual punishment.
Many who disagree with the death penalty believe it is immoral, discriminates, is very expensive, increases crime, and is only a way to carry out revenge. This, however, is not true. Capital punishment should be legal because it is moral, by not allowing criminals to roam the streets once again. It does not discriminate against those of color or the poor, and is actually less expensive than life imprisonment. The most important reason why the death penalty should be legal is because it deters crime.
The death penalty has been an issue of debate for several years. Whether or not we should murder murderer’s and basically commit the same crime that they are being killed for committing. People against the death penalty say that we should not use it for that very reason. They also make claims that innocent people who were wrongly convicted could be killed. Other claims include it not working as a deterrent, it being morally wrong, and that it discriminates.